BizWeekly 11/26/2013
Arundel Dept. of Inspections and Permits Announces Service Enhancement
The Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits has announced a technology enhancement that will allow permit application comment letters to be sent electronically; this move is designed to shorten agency response time.
“We continue to implement changes throughout the county to improve how we serve the community,” said County Executive Laura Neuman. “Having the ability to electronically send comment letters to applicants improves the timeliness of the process with the ultimate goal of issuing permits faster.”
The Department of Inspections and Permits and the Office of Information Technology worked together to upgrade and implement technology to allow comment letters to be e-mailed immediately upon completion of review by all agencies. The upgrade means that applicants will get comment letters one to two weeks faster than if they were printed and mailed.
Domestic Violence Program Launched at HCGH
The creation of a new hospital-based Domestic Violence Program has been announced by Howard County General Hospital (HCGH). The program, a partnership with the Domestic Violence Center (DVC) of Howard County, will include specialized training and screening tools for hospital staff and improved patient follow-up and tracking. It will be funded by a combination of state, county and hospital funds.
The program will provide training to nurses and other care providers in the Howard County General Hospital Emergency Department, Labor and Delivery Unit and Maternal-Child Unit.
It also will include the creation of a domestic violence coordinator position at the hospital, which will work closely with the DVC and will oversee referrals and follow-up to ensure that clients are accessing the services available to them. Data tracking and developing domestic violence resources also will be components.
The partnership will allow the DVC to meet patients in the hospital, transport them to emergency shelters as needed and follow up with legal/counseling service. “Providing in-person advocacy and support services to survivors of domestic violence is a natural expansion of the services we already provide sexual assault victims at HCGH,” said Jennifer Pollitt Hill, the DVC’s executive director.
Health Care Pros Donate 1.5M Hotel Reward Points to Wounded Warriors
Members of a nonprofit organization representing federal health professionals have donated more than 1.5 million hotel reward points to Hotels for Heroes, the program that helps defray the travel costs of wounded warriors.
Sustaining Members of AMSUS, The Society of Federal Health Professionals, have donated 1,579,300 reward points from their personal accounts since February, enough to provide about 105 nights of free lodging. The organization was inspired to launch a donation drive after its past chairman saw Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger discussing the program on cable television, its leadership said.
Hotels for Heroes legislation, which was authored by Congressman C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger and Sen. Ben Cardin in 2012, is currently available to rewards customers of Marriott, Wyndham, AmericInn and Best Western hotels. The program is modeled off the national Hero Miles program, which was created by Ruppersberger and enables the American public to donate their frequent flyer miles to wounded warriors and their families.
The program is administered by the Fisher House, a Montgomery County-based nonprofit organization that opens its homes to military families visiting their injured loved ones at hospitals across the country. So far, the program has provided nearly 3,000 free nights to military families.
Howard County Expands County Food Scrap Collection Program
Howard County has launched a major expansion of its curbside food-scrap collection program, distributing free collection bins to residents in additional neighborhoods where the program will now operate.
“We need to get as close to zero waste as we can,” said County Executive Ken Ulman. “People may not realize that food makes up about 25% of our waste stream. [Now] more than 1,200 additional families can divert that waste and help save money and preserve the environment.”
Howard County has doubled the size of its curbside food waste collection program, adding a second zone where an additional 3,800 households can participate. The program is now operating in two of 15 collection zones, with a goal of expanding the service countywide. The expansion was possible because, in April, a new composting facility was opened at Alpha Ridge Landfill. That allows food scraps and yard trimmings from the new zone, based in Clarksville; along with the first zone, based in Elkridge, to be taken to the new facility and turned into compost.
Postcards were mailed to residents in the Clarksville collection zone, asking residents if they wanted bins. Residents can place fruit, vegetables, bread, nuts, eggshells, coffee grounds and even pizza boxes in the bins, which will be emptied on recycling collection days.
More than 1,200 of 3,800 property owners have requested the bins. Howard County estimates that it will save $80,000 yearly between lower collection costs and proceeds from compost sales through the food scrap collection program operating in two areas. For more information, go to www.feedthegreenbin.org
Ciena Launches Training Program for Veterans
Hanover-based Ciena Corp. has announced a new program with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to offer qualified, honorably discharged, retired and active duty service members for all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces access to Ciena’s world-class technology certification programs, free of charge.
Spots will be reserved for veterans in each of Ciena’s industry-leading Carrier Ethernet (CE) certification and Optical Communications associate level classes, which are offered at more than 50 accredited colleges throughout the world. This training will provide veterans with applicable training in emerging technologies for a wide variety of jobs that are needed across different disciplines, including telecommunications, information technology and cybersecurity.
Neuman’s Community Support Grant Applications Online
Anne Arundel County is currently accepting applications for the county executive’s Community Support Grants for fiscal year 2015. The deadline to apply is Nov. 27.
Each year, the Office of the County Executive awards grants to nonprofit organizations for capital and non-capital projects. Capital grants may be used to purchase equipment and related supplies, or to make capital improvements such as renovation, remodeling, restoration or construction of a new building. Non-capital grants may be used for capacity building or in other ways that increase impact, help the organization operate more efficiently or aid in projects that ultimately improve and enrich the quality of life in the community it serves.
Funding is based on the availability of funds through the county’s annual budget and may vary from year to year. Prior funding does not guarantee current funding. Last year, 31 projects were awarded a total of $996,500.
To be eligible for a grant, the organization must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, offer programs to Anne Arundel County residents, have an operational history of at least one year, have an established and working board of directors and have filed IRS Form 990/audited financials.
For more information or to download an application, visit www.aacounty.org/CountyExec/ComServe/CommSupportGrants/index.cfm or call Maria Casasco, community support grants administrator, at 410-222-1879 or mcasasco@aacounty.org.
Celebrate ‘The Maestro’s’ Anniversary on Dec. 7
The Columbia Orchestra will celebrate Maestro Jason Love’s 15th anniversary with three things he’s known for: new American music, great cello playing and the music of Brahms, with a performance entitled “The Maestro’s Anniversary,” on Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m., at the Jim Rouse Theatre at Wilde Lake High School.
Israeli-American composer Shulamit Ran portrays Chicago’s monumental architecture in a blazing work for brass and percussion. Then Love passes the baton to guest conductor Brian Stone and picks up his cello for Shostakovich’s virtuosic masterpiece. Finally Jason closes this celebratory concert with one of his favorite works, Brahms’ lyrical Third Symphony. Tickets range from $10 to $27. For more information, visit www.columbiaorchestra.org
Lights, Camera, Save!: The Columbia Bank Calls for Entries
Today’s kids seem to know everything about everything, but how much do they know about using money wisely? The Columbia Bank’s participation in the Lights, Camera, Save! contest seeks to answer that very question.
Lights, Camera, Save!, sponsored by the American Bankers Association, allows teens to creatively communicate their thoughts on saving and using money wisely. The video contest empowers young adults to use video in communicating the value of saving and inspire others to become smart money managers.
To participate, students aged 13-18 via their school teacher or parent/guardian can contact Kelsi Karcher at kkarcher@fult.com for an entry form and contest details through Nov. 30. The Columbia Bank will host the first round of judging and will submit one winning video to compete on the national level. Students can win up to $5,000 to fund their savings goal, plus $1,500 for their school. Learn more about the contest at www.lightscamerasave.com
GovConnects to Present Class at Loyola’s Columbia Campus
GovConnects will present “Protecting Your Assets” at Loyola University Maryland’s Columbia campus, located at 8890 McGaw Road, Room 259, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 8 a.m.
The course will enable participants to identify their assets and determine the appropriate protective strategies and not be distracted by avoidable and potentially catastrophic issues, to ensure employees remain employed (and if the employee leaves, ensuring that the company is fully protected).
Other topics to be covered will include protection with collaborating entities, general patent/data/trademark rights, employee retention, and protecting assets when employees leave.
Historic St. Mark’s Ornament Available
Historic St. Mark’s UMC Church, the Laurel Historical Society’s 2013 Holiday Ornament, is now available. The ornament shows the church as it was in approximately 1908. St. Mark’s UMC Church has played an important role for Laurel’s African-American community since its founding.
The ornament is the fourth and final ornament of the LHS’s series of early historic Laurel churches. Other historic church ornaments include St. Mary of the Mills, St. Philips Episcopal Church and First United Methodist Church. The LHS issues an annual ornament reflecting an historic site or event in the town. Past ornaments currently available include the Laurel Christmas Tree, the Laurel Cotton Mill, Avondale Mill, the Laurel Train Station and the Old Liz Fire Truck.
The St. Mark’s ornament will be available through the Laurel Historical Society, online, and at select sites around town through the December holiday season, including at the LHS Open House on Dec. 6, 7 and 8 and the Holiday House Tour on Dec. 14. The St. Mark’s holiday ornament costs $18. For more information, contact info@laurelhistoricalsociety.org or call 301-725-7975.
Host a Service Member for Thanksgiving
As part of the Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce’s (NAACCC) commitment to showing Northern Anne Arundel County as a military-friendly community, it is seeking volunteers who would be willing to share their Thanksgiving dinner with a service member assigned at Fort Meade.
NAACCC members are trying to provide all transportation, but there’s a possibility volunteers may need to pick up the service member at the USO on Fort Meade.
Contact Fran at the NAACCC office at 410-766-8282 if you would like to host one or more service members for Thanksgiving dinner.
Adopt-a-Family This Holiday Season With Town Center Community Association
The Town Center Community Association is supporting the Domestic Violence Center (DVC) of Howard County’s Adopt-a-Family Holiday Project. Give a new, unwrapped gift to support Town Center’s “adopted” family.
Drop off your donated gift(s) to Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road in Columbia by Friday, Dec. 6, or by attending a special event on Saturday, Dec. 7. The DVC strongly encourages that you consider gift cards, as its programs emphasize empowerment, and gift cards allow clients to make choices for their family.
Enjoy time with friends and neighbors as people wrap the donated gifts, taste cookies and make one family’s holiday a little brighter. Register by Nov. 29 by phone at 410-730-4744 or via e-mail at village manager@columbiatowncenter.org.
Arundel’s Neuman to Hold Holiday Open House
County Executive Laura Neuman will hold a holiday-themed open house for the public from 4-6 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the Arundel Center, 44 Calvert Street, Annapolis. The open house will feature musical performances by Anne Arundel County Public School students, as well as a performance by The Opportunity Builders Bell Choir. Winter-themed artwork from students will be showcased.
Holiday cards will be available to be signed to send to our troops serving abroad. In addition, donations of non-perishable canned goods will be accepted and donated to the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. For more information about the open house, contact Ashley Ricker at 410-222-1241 or ARicker@aacounty.org.
Maryland Live! to Host Minority Business Vendor Fair on Dec. 5
Maryland Live! Casino will host a Minority Business Vendor Fair on Thursday, Dec. 5, for minority business enterprises (MBE) and women business enterprises (WBE) interested in working with one of the largest and most profitable commercial casinos in the country.
Vendor categories include landscaping, janitorial suppliers, gaming materials and equipment, luxury gifts, commercial cleaning, staffing firms, mechanical and electrical companies, commercial laundry/dry cleaners, information technology suppliers, food service products/equipment, painting suppliers and advertising/PR/graphic design.
The Doing Business Session will take place from 8 a.m. to noon at Rams Head Center Stage at Maryland Live! Registration is required for all interested MBE/WBE vendors. For information and to reserve a space, contact 443-759-8580 by Friday, Nov. 29.
Annapolis Inauguration Set for Dec. 2
Ward 1 Alderman Joe Budge, Ward 2 Alderman Frederick Paone, Ward 3 Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell Charles, Ward 4 Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson, Ward 5 Alderman Jared Littmann, Ward 6 Alderman Kenneth Kirby, Ward 7 Alderman Ian Pfeiffer and Ward 8 Alderman Ross Arnett III will all be on hand on Monday, Dec. 2, for the inauguration of Mike Pantelides as mayor of Annapolis.
The event will be held at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, which is located at 801 Chase Street in Annapolis, at 3 p.m. R.S.V.P. via inauguration2013@annapolis.gov.
DVC to Become HopeWorks
On Dec. 1, the Domestic Violence Center (DVC) will change its name to HopeWorks, a moniker that its management hopes will better convey the message and breadth of services the center offers.
“The hope is that we will work towards a Howard County that is free of sexual and domestic violence,” said Executive Director Lauren Pollitt Hill. “So we wanted to be sure that we had a title that was large enough to encompass all the many ways in which we try and be change agents.”
The name HopeWorks has existed since 1978, when it was incorporated as Citizens Against Spousal Abuse, or CASA. In the early ’90s, the organization changed its name to the DVC.
Donors Needed for Holiday Sharing Program
Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings is something that many of us come to expect, but for some in our community, Thanksgiving Day is just another day.
The Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services is looking for donors to participate in Holiday Sharing, a campaign to help families and senior citizens in Anne Arundel County this holiday season. Holiday Sharing will match donors with a family or senior citizen in Anne Arundel County who needs help. Participants can purchase and personally deliver food the week of Thanksgiving.
To participate, visit www.dhr.state.md.us/blog/?p=192 . Find the Holiday Sharing link below Community Initiatives or call or e-mail the organizer, Tanya Steele, at 410-269-4462 or tanya.steele@maryland.gov.
It’s the ‘Season of Light’ at The Meeting House Gallery Through Jan. 11
“Season of Light,” an exhibit that’s on display at The Meeting House in Columbia, features the work of Fran Abrams (polymer clay art), Beth Kosterich (jewelry), Coriolana Simon & Douglas Wolters (photographers), Lauren Kingsland and Joyce Ritter (quilters). It runs until Jan. 11.
The Meeting House Gallery at Oakland Mills Interfaith Center is accepting applications from artists for its “Cruisin’ About” exhibition, which begins Jan. 18. Examples might include implied (or real) freedom of movement/speed such as schools of fish, convertibles or people/children. For applications and information, visit themeetinghouse.org.
Public Feedback Welcome as CA Releases Recommendations for Comprehensive Plan to Serve Older Adults
For more than a year, a Columbia Association (CA) work team has been developing a Comprehensive Plan for Serving the Older Adult Community. Now the work team is getting ready to release its draft plan recommendations – and is seeking the community’s feedback.
A pair of public meetings will be held on Monday, Jan. 13, at Slayton House, which is located at 10400 Cross Fox Lane in the Wilde Lake Village Center. The first session will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, while the second session is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m.; meeting content will be the same at both sessions. Following these meetings, CA will prepare a revised draft that will be reviewed for approval by the CA board of directors.
Over the course of this project, CA has used a number of different tactics to identify older adults’ needs in Columbia. The community input has included public meetings and small group discussions, an intercept survey of older adults in Columbia, benchmarking interviews with experts around the country and a statistically valid telephone survey of the older adult community. In addition, CA staff reviewed a number of recent studies, surveys and reports that address the needs and desires of the older adult community.
An inclement weather day has been set for Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the same times. For additional information, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/OlderAdults or contact David Greisman at 410-423-4103 or David.Greisman@ColumbiaAssociation.org.
From MarylandReporter.com …
Md. Senate leaders forecast some business tax relief:
State Senate leaders told a business group Wednesday that they expected to see some sort of small business tax relief in the coming legislative session, possibly coupled with an increase in the minimum wage. Read more: http://marylandreporter.com/category/news/#ixzz2lXaMKSK9
Maryland prepares move back to paper ballots for elections:
Local election officials are already expressing uncertainty about what could go wrong when the state switches from an electronic voting system to using paper ballots in the next two years. By the 2016 presidential elections the state will replace touch-screen machines and make a fundamental shift to the way voters cast ballots. Read more: http://marylandreporter.com/category/news/#ixzz2lXaXLGgx
More money from rising gas tax going to mass transit:
Maryland needs to continue to invest more in public transportation as it sees a boost in funding from the rising state gas tax, transportation experts said Monday at annual transportation summit of the Greater Baltimore Committee. Read more: http://marylandreporter.com/category/news/#ixzz2lXalEypl
MarylandReporter.com is a news site for government and politics in Maryland that is published and edited by Len Lazarick. For more information or to sign up for the daily e-news, go to marylandreporter.com.